the unmentionables gynecological symptoms you can’t … · 4 lupus: there are four types, but the...
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HEALTHYYour Guide to Health and WellnessSUMMER 2018
THE UNMENTIONABLES Gynecological symptoms
you can’t ignore pg.4
“HIDDEN” DISEASES 7 common conditions in women
pg.5
ARTHRITIS ADVANCESGetting a grip on the
latest treatments pg.6
2 H E A LT H Y YO U
3uni tedreg iona l .org
Dr. Olufemi Lawal, Pulmonologist, explains, “COPD and heart disease share risk
factors (age and smoking are the biggest two) and symptoms, especially shortness
of breath.” He adds that COPD and atherosclerosis (disease of the artery walls) are
both associated with inflammation in the body. And because the right ventricle of
the heart pumps blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen, poor lung
function from COPD can affect the right side of the heart.
There is a high rate of overlap between the two
diseases and, although experts are not sure of the
extent of this overlap, they do agree it is worrisome.
Heart disease is difficult to diagnose in patients with
COPD, often delaying appropriate medical treatment.
Why it matters
“Because COPD may produce symptoms that are similar
to heart disease,” says Dr. Lawal, “people with COPD
may not realize they have heart disease, or seek treatment for
heart disease, until it’s too late.” Furthermore, impaired lung function is a strong
predictor of cardiovascular mortality.
How many of these cardiovascular risk factors do you have?
I have COPD.
I am overweight or obese.
I don’t get enough physical activity.
I have high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes.
I smoke cigarettes or use tobacco products.
I have a family history of heart disease.
I am over 45 (men) or over 55 (women).
I already have heart disease.
Talk to your doctor TODAY.
Your doctor can help you prevent heart disease. Ask your doctor:
1 What are MY risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and why?
2 What screenings or tests are right for ME?
3 What actions can I take to decrease MY risk for cardiovascular disease?
4 What are the right cardiovascular health goals for ME?
FAST STATS
Approximately 15 million Americans
have been diagnosed with COPD, and
as many as 24 million may actually
have COPD.
COPD is the third-leading cause of
death in the U.S.
Cigarette smoking, the most
common cause of COPD, is
associated with a 50 percent
increased risk of heart failure.
COPD patients, especially those who
have heart failure, are at increased
risk for hospitalization and death due
to cardiovascular disease.
More women than men die from
COPD, and women are more often
misdiagnosed.
PreventiveCare
Are you at risk?If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD), you should be aware that you are at increased
risk for cardiovascular disease.
Have symptoms
described in this
article? It’s time
to talk to your
doctor. Find more
information about
United Regional’s
physicians, including
pulmonologists and cardiologists, at
unitedregional.org/find-a-physician.
Dr. Olufemi Lawal,
Pulmonology
Cardiovascular Disease
COPD and
4 H E A LT H Y YO U
Women’s Health
Dr. Maxine Lingurar,Obstetrics/Gynecology
Women experience changes
in their bodies throughout
their entire lives. Some of
these changes are due to aging; others
are the result of hormonal changes
during pregnancy, menopause, or
menstrual cycles. While it may feel
awkward to
mention unusual
symptoms in
‘unmentionable’
places to
your doctor,
Dr. Maxine
Lingurar, Ob/
Gyn. suggests
that, “these
changes
often provide
important clues
to your health.
If you notice
any unusual changes in your body, talk
with your doctor to make sure that
what you’re experiencing isn’t serious.”
Here are a few gynecological
symptoms you should not ignore.
Pelvic or abdominal pain. Only
about 20 percent of pelvic pain
women experience is actually due
to gynecological problems, such as
endometriosis or uterine fibroids.
Musculoskeletal conditions and
urinary or bowel problems can also
cause pelvic pain.
Abnormal vaginal discharge. All
women have vaginal discharge. It’s
nature’s way of keeping your genital
area clean and healthy. Normal
discharge is white or clear, with
little or no odor. If your vaginal
discharge changes in color, amount or
consistency, or it takes on a noticeable
odor, see your doctor.
Gynecological symptoms you can’t ignore
Breast changes. Worrisome breast
symptoms include a change in size
or shape of the breast, skin changes
on the breast, a lump, or changes in
the nipple (including discharge). The
symptoms of breast cancer and less
serious breast problems are similar.
In fact, only 20 percent of breast
lumps are due to cancer, so don’t let
fear of a cancer diagnosis keep you
from discussing any breast changes
with your doctor.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding. See
your doctor if you experience heavy
bleeding that lasts longer than
normal, occurs more frequently
than every three weeks, after sex, or
between periods. You should also pay
attention to spotting or bleeding in
between periods.
Pain during sexual intercourse.
Don’t be embarrassed. According to
the American College of Obstetrics
and Gynecology, nearly three-
quarters of women will experience
pain during intercourse at some
point in their lives, particularly after
menopause.
Difficult or painful urination,
excessive chronic bloating, or
painful periods. It’s important to
talk with your physician about these
issues, as there a variety of reasons
for these symptoms to occur.
CHANGES DURING MENOPAUSE
Menopause is uneventful for some women,
but for others the transition can be a time
when new and disruptive symptoms suddenly
appear. Although menopause symptoms can
be uncomfortable, they aren’t necessarily
signs of a more serious problem.
Commonly, women experience one or more
menopause symptoms, including:
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Sleep disruption
• Vaginal burning or itching
• Decreased libido during intercourse
• Painful intercourse
• Bleeding after intercourse
• More frequent vaginal or urinary tract
infections
• Frequent urination
“Every woman is different,” says Dr. Lingurar,
“so it’s important to know what is normal
for you, so you can recognize changes that
may signal a possible health problem. Don’t
be afraid to speak with your doctor about
changes or irregularities you discover.”
GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER
SCREENING
The goal of screening is to find cancer
early when treatment is more effective.
Dr. Lingurar agrees that women should
undergo regular screenings for cervical
cancer; frequency varies for individual
women within age groups. Ask your doctor
about the right screening test and frequency
for you. She also highly recommends that
women between the ages of 30 and 65 be
tested for the high-risk HPV virus as part of
your routine cervical cancer screening. Learn
what is normal for YOU so you can recognize
new or unusual symptoms and visit your
doctor with any concerns. Make sure you
keep track of any recommended screenings
and annual visits. Find an Ob/Gyn by visiting
www.unitedregional.org/find-a-physician.
Unmenti nablesThe
“Every woman is different, so it’s important to know what is normal for you so you can recognize changes that may signal a possible
health problem.”
Dr. Maxine Lingurar, Ob/Gyn
5u n i te d re g i o n a l .o r gu n i te d re g i o n a l .o r g 5
Medical Matters
Top
A CALL TO ALL WOMEN: YOUR HEALTH IS DEMANDING YOUR ATTENTION! Women, what are you waiting for? It’s understandable that,
as the primary caretakers of your family, you can easily put
your own health on the back burner, but today, make the
choice to make a change and give your health the number-one
priority in your life that it DESERVES.
The numbers are alarming. According to Dr. Olawunmi
Lawal, 35% of women over the age of 20 are obese, and 33%
of women over the age of 20 have hypertension. Dr. Lawal
says, “Many times, women unknowingly put their health at
risk by ignoring certain telltale symptoms. There are several
common hidden diseases secretly attacking a woman’s
health.” These ‘hidden’ diseases include:
1 POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME: the most common
hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. As
many as one in every 10 women of childbearing age will
develop it, which is the leading cause of infertility.
2 FIBROMYALAGIA: acquired in early to mid-adulthood,
it’s also known as Central Sensitivity Syndrome and affects
three to six million women in the U.S. alone.
3 CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME: forces mental and
physical inactivity and does not improve with rest. Women,
especially in their 40s and 50s, are four times more likely to
develop this condition than men.
4 LUPUS: there are four types, but the most common is
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and is a malfunction of
the immune system where the body becomes its own worst
enemy. Women make up 90% of its victims.
7
5 MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS):
causes your immune system to attack
the protective covering of the nerves
in the brain and lets your nervous system break down the
communication between the brain and the body. It may
even destroy the nerves entirely. Women are three times
more likely than men to develop MS and it generally appears
between the ages of 20 and 40.
6 RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA): attacks the linings
of the joints through the immune system. Women make up
three-quarters of RA cases and usually peak between the
ages of 40 to 60.
7 IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME: chronic abdominal
cramping and pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation
that may be caused by a malfunction in the way the brain
interacts with the gut. 20% of Americans suffer from IBS,
but it is two times more likely in women.
Dr. Lawal urges women to, “Be aware of the signs your body is
giving you.” Know your body, and if you experience a sign of
abnormality—like pain or fatigue—don’t ignore it. Dr. Lawal
also encourages women to take small steps like making slight
diet changes or increasing physical activity in order to feel
your best. You deserve good health, so treat yourself to it!
Dr. Olawunmi Lawal, Internal Medicine
Learn more about Dr. Olawunmi Lawal
or the role of an Internist by visiting
urphysiciangroup.org/services/
internal-medicine.
“HIDDEN” DISEASES
Most Common
in Women
HealthyBody
H E A LT H Y YO U6
The numbers look daunting: more than 100 different
types of arthritis, more than 50 million Americans
affected by these painful joint diseases.
But the leading cause of disability in the United States is
also the subject of widespread research into new and better
treatments and, of course, the ultimate goal of a cure.
“With a larger focus on categorizing forms of arthritis
through genetic causes, we are closer to
a cure and more effective treatments,”
says Rheumatologist, Dr. Vanya Wagler.
Taking matters into your
own hands
One of the most promising avenues
of pain relief involves becoming
proactive about managing and
treating your arthritis.
Medication advancements
New developments in arthritis
medication look encouraging, says
Dr. Wagler. “The development of
biologic response modifiers, or biologics, has been a game
changer for people living with inflammatory arthritis.
Biologics are drugs that are genetically engineered from a
living organism, such as a virus, gene or protein, to simulate
the body’s natural response to infection and disease. They
target proteins, cells and pathways responsible for the
symptoms and damage
of rheumatoid arthritis
and other types of
inflammatory arthritis.”
Dr. Wagler explains
that before biologics,
arthritis treatment was
limited to non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs), non-biologic
disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and
corticosteroids. While these older medicines still have a role in
treating arthritis, biologic drugs have made effective treatment
possible for many patients with difficult-to-control arthritis.
Early efforts pay off
Prompt treatment of arthritis is key. Dr. Wagler says, “In the
near future, new tools that help patients provide accurate
information to their doctors may enable more timely
diagnoses of arthritis. And in the not-so-near future, research
may lead to arthritis being diagnosed from bloodwork at an
annual physical – before symptoms even surface.”
But no matter which type of arthritis is diagnosed,
certain actions will be helpful to patients across the board:
maintaining healthy body weight, getting adequate sleep,
reducing stress and exercising regularly.
Dr. Vanya Wagler,
Rheumatology
Getting a Grip on the Latest
Arthritis Advances
Arthritis symptoms
Let your physician know if
you’re experiencing such
joint symptoms as:
• stiffness
• pain
• swelling
• decreased range of motion
Recipe
Roast Beet and Blue Cheese Salad2 medium-size beets
1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
2 packed cups washed, trimmed and chopped beet greens (about
7 or 8 large leaves)
1 large scallion, chopped
2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
2 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese
2 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and chopped (see note)
4 teaspoons white balsamic vinegar
4 teaspoons apple juice
¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper1/8 teaspoon curry powder
Scrub beets; cut vertically in half and place cut-side down on
foil-lined baking sheet. Roast in preheated 400-degree oven 50
to 60 minutes or until fork tender. When beets are cool enough to
handle, peel and cut into ¼-inch thick slices. Place in salad bowl.
Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in medium-size skillet. Add beet greens
(no need to dry after washing) and sauté over medium heat
3 minutes, stirring frequently, or until leaves are slightly limp,
not completely cooked. Add to beets. Add scallion, lettuce, blue
cheese and eggs.
In a small bowl stir together balsamic vinegar, remaining 2
teaspoons olive oil, apple juice, salt, pepper and curry powder.
Pour over salad and toss gently but well.
Note: If desired, substitute 6 ounces cooked chicken breast,
cut into bite-size pieces, for the eggs.
Makes 2 (2-cup) servings
Per serving: 215 calories / 15 grams total fat / 10 grams protein / 9 grams carbohydrates / 192 milligrams cholesterol / 540 milligrams sodium / 3 grams dietary fiber
Roots are matched with their tops for this robust
and easy to make entree.
7u n i te d re g i o n a l .o r g
Healthy Eating
TOP TO BOTTOM
VEGGIE DELIGHTST
he summer season is prime time for freebies at
the farmers market and supermarket produce
department. For the price of a bunch of beets,
turnips, carrots, radishes and similar root vegetables,
you get the tasty leafy green tops too.
Boosting nutrition
Not only are you getting more edible plant, but you’re
getting a greater variety of colors, textures and nutrients
when you include the tops in your meals. Green vegetables
are something we tend to not eat enough of. If the greens
come attached, it’s easier to include in the diet!
Plant greens are a valuable source of vitamins,
sometimes in greater amounts than in roots.
Tops for taste
But nutrition is only part of the appeal: Taste is just as
important, and tops deliver exciting new flavors. Pesto
made with carrot tops has become popular in some areas.
Some say radish leaves remind them of arugula. Celery
leaves have a fairly strong taste; they’re wonderful in a
salad mix.
Handling vegetable topsTo maintain the flavor and delicacy of tops,
treat them as you would other fresh greens:
Trim off greens. Wash and keep moist
in paper towels in the refrigerator
and use as soon as possible.
Although plant tops aren’t buried in soil,
they still need a good cleaning.
Unfortunately, some leaves—such as
rhubarb—are inedible. Do your research before
tasting a leaf you’ve never seen used in a recipe.
Healthy Living
8 H E A LT H Y YO U
Does your body sound like a bowl of breakfast
cereal—you know, snap, crackle, pop? Many
of those joint sounds are actually normal. But, if
you’re singing the achy-breaky blues, it’s time to stop ignoring
your symptoms and make an appointment to see your doctor.
Musculoskeletal problems, such as low back pain, and chronic joint
pain, affect more than one out of two adults in the U.S., especially those
65 and older.
Dr. Edward Walker, Orthopedic Surgeon, explains, “Musculoskeletal
disorders affect your bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves.
They can come on suddenly, or persist over time, be local to a specific
joint or muscle, or be widespread throughout your body. Often, the pain
worsens with movement. Musculoskeletal problems
interfere in activities of daily living, cause people
to miss work, and are a source of significant pain.
The top three areas affected are the knees, back,
and shoulders.”
We’ve all experienced bouts of sore, achy muscles
and joints following rigorous activity or a minor
injury. However, if you have persistent or severe
musculoskeletal symptoms, don’t ignore them.
“Sometimes, what appears to be a musculoskeletal
symptom can be due to an unrelated problem that
requires immediate medical attention,” Dr. Walker
says. For example, arm pain is a symptom of a
heart attack and back pain could indicate kidney
stones. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) produces joint and muscle symptoms,
especially in the knuckles and middle joints of the fingers.
You don’t have to live with chronic muscle or joint pain. Dr. Walker adds,
“It’s not a normal sign of aging and today, doctors can offer many effective
treatments.” Lifestyle changes, such as exercise and losing weight, physical
therapy, and medication can relieve your pain and improve your quality of
life. When these treatments are not enough, your doctor may recommend
surgery. Joint replacement surgeries are now one of the most widely
performed operations in the U.S.
Get help for muscle and joint pain
Musculoskeletal
symptoms you
should not ignore
• Pain in the muscles, joints, ligaments, or
tendons (can be deep, penetrating, or dull)
• Swelling, warmth, or redness in a joint
• Recurring or constant pain or tenderness
in a joint
• Joint stiffness
• Difficulty using or moving a joint,
especially after movement or activity
• Crunchy feeling or sound of bone on bone
• Fatigue
• Sleep disturbances
• Twitching muscles
• Numbness, pain, or tingling that radiates
into the arms or legs
If you have one or more of the symptoms
listed above and have been in an accident
or experienced sudden trauma, you should
seek emergency medical treatment.
Otherwise, make an appointment
with your primary care physician to
discuss your options for treatment.
Visit urphysiciangroup.org/services/
orthopedics for information regarding
orthopedic conditions and treatments.
Dr. Edward
Walker,
Orthopedic
Surgeon
Achy BreakyMy
Body